Mist-producing nozzle



Aug. 16, 1938. J. c. scHELLlN ET Al.

MIST PRODUCING NOZZLE Filed Sept. ll, 1937 Patented Aug. 16, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MIST-PRODUCING N OZZLE John C.

Wooster, Ohio,

tion of Ohio Ohio, a. corpora.-

Application September 11, 1937, Serial No. 163,458

7 Claims.

The invention relates generally to nozzles adapted for discharging fluid in the form of fog or mist, and more particularly to nozzles for selectively discharging either a stream or mist, as desired.

APrior nozzles have been provided for regulating the discharge of water from a stream to a single cone of fog, but when the water is discharged in the form of a fog it is necessarily distributed over a relatively large area in order to effectively blanket a lire, with the result that the particles of water do not penetrate into the fire to any great extent and are not projected to any material distance ahead of the nozzle.

Certain types of res, such as deep oil reservoir fires, generate such intense heat that the single cone of fog discharged by these prior nozzles will not penetrate sufficiently to extinguish the fire, because the fine liquid particles of the fog are dissipated into steam long before they reach the seat of the re.

On the other hand, if such a nozzle is adjusted to produce a substantially straight stream of water, the quenching effect alone of the stream must be relied upon to extinguish the flre, whereas a dense cloud of fog or mist will extinguish the fire much more effectively by blanketing or smothering it, if the fog can be made to penetrate to or near the base of the fire.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved nozzle for discharging a mist of fluid particles capable of increased penetration toward the base of a fire.

We have discovered that by producing a relatively small and dense cone of mist within a larger outer cone of mist, not only does the mist penetrate farther into the fire, but the inner mist cooperates with the outer mist to effectively extinguish the re.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle which will discharge two cones of mist, one inside the other.

A further object is to provide an improved nozzle adapted for selectively discharging either a straight stream or a mist.

Another object is to provide an improved nozzle in which the size or cross-sectional area of the inist discharged can easily be varied, and which is capable of discharging a large volume of dense mist.

A still further object is to provide an improved nozzle in which the adjusting means controlling the form of discharge is adapted selectivelyto completely shut olf the discharge of fluid or to shut off all but the inner cone of mist.

'I'hese objects and kindred others are fulfilled by the simple, compact and inexpensive nozzle construction constituting the present invention, a. preferred embodiment of which is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing, and which is hereinafter described in detail and defined in the appended claims.

The invention may be stated in general terms as including a tubular body having an outwardly flared discharge opening, a core positioned axially lof said body provided with an enlarged tapered head cooperating with said ared discharge opening to provide an outer annular discharge passage, said body and core being axially adjustable to open and close said outer annular discharge passage, the enlarged head of said core having an inner annular discharge passage communicating with the interior of said tubular.body, and means on the core cooperating with the tubular body for shutting off flow to both discharge passages.

Referring to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the improved nozzle is illustrated by way of example:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the improved nozzle in closed position;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-section thereof as on line 3-3, Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the nozzle in open position for discharging an outer cone of mist of large area and a smaller inner cone of mist;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4, showing the nozzle in open position for discharging a substantially straight stream;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the nozzle in position for discharging the inner cone of mist alone and closing olf the outer mist; and

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of a modification of the improved nozzle.

Similar numerals refer to vsimilar parts throughout the drawing.

In the embodiment shown by way of example in Figs. l to 6 inclusive of the drawing, the improved nozzle includes a tubular inner sleeve 8, having an enlarged female coupling portion 9 at its rear end for connection to a hose line in a usual manner.

The sleeve 8 is telescoped preferably within an outer sleeve or body member l0, the inner sleeve having external screw threads il interengaging internal screw threads I2 on the outer sleeve I0, whereby rotation of the sleeve Il) on sleeve 8 will produce relative longitudinal movement thereof.

4A packing ring I4 is preferably provided between the inner and outer sleeve in a usual manner, being held against a shoulder I5 on the outer sleeve III by a jam nut I6 screwed in the rear end of said sleeve III.

The forward end portion of the outer sleeve III is preferably constricted to form a cylindricaldischarge passageway I1 of reduced diameter, a conical shoulder or seat I8 being formed on the rear side of said passageway I'I, and a conical shoulder I9 being formed at the front side of said passageway. Beyond the shoulder I9 the forward end 20 of sleeve I0 is flared outwardly to form an enlarged conical discharge opening 2|. A cylindrical counterbore or passageway 22 is provided between discharge opening 2I and conical shoulder I9, for a purpose to be described.

Preferably, the flared end 20 is provided with an externalA annular groove 23,4 and'a rubber bumper ring 24 is secured in said groove for protecting the discharge end of the nozzle.

A core 25is located axially within the inner sleeve 8. and is preferably secured thereto by screwing its rear end into socket 26 supported by ribs 21 extending radially inward from the rear end of sleeve 8. Preferably the front end of the core 25 has an enlarged conical head 28 formed thereon and the front conical surface 29 thereof is made to conform to conical shoulder I8 on sleeve I8, so that in the position of Fig. 1, the surface 29 seats on shoulder I8 to completely shut off the flow of liquid through the cylindrical passage I1. An enlarged deflector head 30 is mounted in front of the conical end 28 of the.

core and co-axial with the cylindrical passageway I1. Preferably the deflector head 38 is screwed into the conical end 28 of the core, as at 3l, and the outer diameter of the head is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the counterbore 22 so as to form an outer annular passage between the head and the flared outlet 20 at all times, and so as to form an annular discharge passage 32 between the head and the counterbore 22 in the position of Fig. 5.

The rear wall 33 of the deflector head 28 has a surface which is substantially conical and may be slightly concavely curved as shown, and said surface is adapted to seat on shoulder I9 and shut off the outer annular discharge passage, as shown in Fig. 6.

'I'he deector head 28 is preferably provided with an internal annular chamber 34, and an annular inclined or conical discharge passage 35 is formed in the front end of said head for communicating with said chamber. Ports 38 are preferably provided through the rear wall 33 of the head and are spaced radially inward of the passageway I1 for providing 4communication between chamber 34 and the interior of sleeve 8 in all positions of the nozzle except complete shutoff position shown in Fig. 1.

In the operation of the improved nozzle, starting with the parts in complete shut-off position as shown in Fig. 1, when the sleeve III is rotated to move the same longitudinally or axially forward on sleeve 8, as soon as the shoulder I8 is moved slightly away from conical surface 29 the parts will be in a position such as shown in Fig. 4. In this position, water ows in the direction of the arrows though ports 38 into chamber 34, and is broken up into particles which discharge out of passage 35`in the form of a dense cone of mist indicated at 38. Water also impinges on the rear surface 33 of the deflector headt3II and is broken up and deflected out of the flared discharge opening 2| in the form of a flat cone of mist of large cross-sectional area indicated at 38. The two cones of mist are concentric, the inner cone being the more pentrating and the outer cone covering a large area, andthe two cones constituting a large volume of mist for enveloping and blanketing a fire.

In fighting oil reservoir res, it is particularly advantageous to produce the double cone of large area immediately upon opening the nozzle, because if a straight stream were produced when the nozzle was first opened, the stream would have the eiect of scatteringthe burning oil and increasing the damage and the fire hazard. Moreover, if the improved nozzle is opened while the operator is approaching a ire, the immediate formation of the enveloping double cone of mist affords increased protection to said operator.

As the outer sleeve I0 is moved forward axially to have the effect of drawing the deilector head 3U further within the flaring outlet, the outer cone of mist 39 is accordingly varied to a narrower or steeper cone surrounding the inner cone 38, thus changing the shape of the outer mist to meet varying conditions at the seat of the fire.

As the outer sleeve I0 is moved further forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 5, in which the deector head 38 is within the counterbore 22, a straight stream of mist particles is discharged from the annular discharge opening 32, as indicated at 40. In this positionl the particles of the inner cone 38 are caught up and carried along in the straight stream 40, and increase the volume thereof.

When the outer sleeve I0 is moved forwardly a sufiicient distance so that the rear wall 33 of the deflector head 30 seats on the conical shoulder I9, the outer annular discharge passage is shut off entirely, but in this position the ports 36 still communicate with the interior of sleeve 8, since the ports are spaced radially inward from the cylindrical passage I1. Accordingly, in the position of Fig. 6, water flows in the direction of the arrows through ports 36 and into the chamber 34 to be discharged 'out of annular passage 35 in the form of the inner cone of mist particles 38. Under certain conditions, it is advantageous to be able to use the inner cone 38 alone, because a relatively small volume of water is thus discharged. For instance, in cleaning up small i'lres which may be still burning at various positions, after the main body of a fire has been extinguished, the relatively small inner cone serves to extinguish the same Without discharging an unnecessary and damaging amount of water.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the female coupling memberl 9a is formed on the rear end of a tubular casing or sleeve 42, the forward end of which is preferably provided with an interior thread into which is screwed a ring member 43. An inner sleeve 44 is telescoped within the ring member 43 and the intermediate portion of the tubular casing 42, and the rear endof the sleeve 44 is provided with a longitudinal slot 45 in which a pin 48 secured to the casing is slidably receivedv exterior annular groove in the ring 43 for hous- 75 amuse 3 ing a series of rollers indicated at 4I, and a pack; ing ring 5l is preferably provided between the rear end of ring 43 and a shoulder in the casing 42. Thus the annular adjusting member 41 is rotatable with respect to casing 42 on the ring 45, and the rollers 49 prevent longitudinal movement of said member 41 while permitting rotary movement thereof.

Accordingly, rotation of member 41 causes the sleeve 4,4 to move longitudinally or axially of the casing 42.

A core 5i is preferably secured axially within the casing 42 by screwing its rear end into a socket 26a supported by ribs 21a extending' radially inward from the casing. 'Ihe front end of the core is formed into an enlarged conical end 28a which is adapted to seat on the rear conical shoulder |80. of a rib formed in sleeve 44, having ai front conical shoulder isa and forming a cylindrical passage l'la between the shoulders. A defiector head 3ila| is screwed on the end 25a of the core for providing an outer annular passage between the head and the ilaringoutlet 2 la formed on the forward end of sleeve 44. The deilector head is provided with an annular discharge passage 35a for discharging an inner cone of mist. and its rear wall has ports 35a therein radially spaced inward of passage Ila for communicating with the interior of sleeve 44 even when the head 30a is seated on shoulder ISa.

At the rear end of sleeve 44 a seating ring 52 is provided having an annular conical seat 53 on its rear surface. 'I'he rear end of core 5i has a conical shoulder ,54 formed thereon for conforming to the surface 53 to provide a secondcomplete shut-off in the nozzle. 'Ihe ring 52 and shoulder 54 are made to abut or seat simultaneously with the abutment of the forward end 28a of the core with shoulder ia. Preferably, the shoulder 54 is of semi-resilient composition material for making the seat with surface 53.

Accordingly, in the position of Fig. 7, flow through the nozzle is completely shut off at the rear seat as well as the forward seat, so that if any foreign material is present which might have the effect of preventing a perfect seal in one of the seats, the other seat will function to completely shut oil the nozzle.

The modification shown in Fig. '7 produces all of the advantageous results produced by the nozzle shown in Figs. l to 6 inclusive, and diil'ers only in the particular adjusting means, and the addition of another shut-oil working simultaneously with the forward shut-off shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

The present improved construction provides an adjustable nozzle for discharging a relatively large volume of mist having an outer cone and a dense innercone, or for discharging a substantially straight stream; or for discharging the inner cone alone.

The double vconcentric cone of mist acts effectively in extinguishing fires generating intense heat, because the inner cone is capable of iucreased penetration so as to more nearly approach the base of the fire than a single cone of large area. Moreover, as the inner cone penetrates towards the base of the fire, the larger outer cone completely surrounds and forms an air-excluding blanket around the fire adjacent to the inner cone, so that the flre is trapped between the two concentric cones -and smothered. The double cone of mist acts to eliminate iiash-backs as the nozzle is moved across the surface of a fire. because the temperature is first lowered by the inner cone sumciently to enable the outer cone to maintain the temperature of the burning mass below the combustion point.

Various modifications may be made in the details of construction, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Nozzle construction including 'a tubular sleeve, a second sleeve axially adjustable thereon and having a discharge outlet at one end, a core secured in said rst sleeve axiallythereof and having a deector head forming an outer annular discharge passage .within said second sleeve discharge outlet, said head having an inner annular discharge passage therethrough communicating with the interior of the nozzle, means on said second sleeve for abutting said head to shut off said outer discharge passage, and means on said core cooperating with said second sleeve for completely shutting oi ow through the nozzle. l

2. Nozzle construction including a tubular sleeve, a second sleeve axially adjustable thereon and having a discharge end, said discharge end having a constricted passage formed therein and a shoulder at the rear side of said passage, a core secured in said first sleeve axially thereof and having an enlarged end for seating against said rear shoulder, and a deflector head mounted on said core and overlapping said constricted passage for fitting within said discharge end to form an outer annular discharge passage, and said defiector head having discharge passages therethrough communicating with said constricted passage.

3. Nozzle construction including a tubular sleeve, a second sleeve axially adjustable thereon and having a flared discharge end, said discharge end having a cylindrical counterbore therein and a front shoulder adjacent thereto forming a constricted passage therein, a rear shoulder adjacent to said passage, a core secured in said first sleeve axially thereof and having an enlarged portion for seating against said rear shoulder to completely shut off flow through the nozzle, and a deflector head mounted co-axially on said core and for forming an outer annular discharge passage within said counterbore, said deiiector head having a discharge passage therethrough spaced radially inward of said shoulders, and said head being adapted to seat against said front shoulder to shut oi said outer annular discharge passage.

4. Nozzle construction including an inner tubular sleeve having a core secured axially therein, an outer sleeve axially adjustable on said inner sleeve and having a discharge end, oppositely inclined front and rear annular shoulders forming a constricted passageway in said discharge end, said core having means for seating against said rear shoulder to completely shut off iiow through the nozzle, and a deilector head axially mounted on said core forming an outer annular discharge passage Within said outer sleeve discharge end and adapted for seating against said front shoulder, said head having a ,discharge passage therethrough communicating with said constricted passageway.

5. Nozzle construction including a tubular sleeve having a discharge end, a deector head located in said discharge end forming an outer annular discharge passage around said head, said head having an inner discharge passage therethrough communicating with the interior ot saidsleeve. means for axially adjusting said sleeve relative to said head, and means for selectively shutting oi! the outer` discharge passage only or both inner and outer discharge passages. 6. Nozzle construction including a tubular sleeve, a second sleeve axially adjustable thereon and having a constricted discharge passageway communicating with a ared outlet, a core secured in said first sleeve-axially thereof and having an enlarged deector head forming an outer annular discharge passage within said second sleeve flared outlet, said head having an inner discharge passage therethrough communicating with said constricted discharge passageway, and means on said core cooperating with said second sleeve for shutting of! flow through said constricted discharge passageway.

7. Nozzle construction. including a tubular sleeve. a second sleeve axially adjustable thereon and having a discharge outlet at one end, a core secured in said rst sleeve axially thereof and having an enlarged head forming anouter annular discharge passage within said second sleeve discharge outlet, said head having a discharge passage therethrough, and means on said core cooperating with said second sleeve for closing the discharge passage in said head.

JOHN C. SCHELLIN. EARL J. HOUSEKEEPER. EVERE'I'I R. HAMILTON. 

